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The Fables of La Fontaine by Jean de La Fontaine

About this eBook

Author La Fontaine, Jean de, 1621-1695
Illustrator Doré, Gustave, 1832-1883
Translator Thornbury, Walter, 1828-1876
Title The Fables of La Fontaine
Translated into English Verse by Walter Thornbury and Illustrated by Gustave Doré
Note Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Fontaine%27s_Fables
Note Reading ease score: 76.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Credits Produced by Madelaine Kilsby, Laura Natal Rodriguez and Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by the Hathi Trust and Gallica, Bibliothèque nationale de France, for the illustrations)
Summary "The Fables of La Fontaine" by Jean de La Fontaine is a collection of fables written in the 17th century. The book is comprised of stories that personify animals and convey moral lessons, often employing wit and humor. This work showcases a variety of characters from the animal kingdom, including clever foxes, industrious ants, and foolish grasshoppers, illustrating the timeless truths of human behavior through these engaging narratives. The opening of "The Fables of La Fontaine" begins with a dedication and an essay on the life and works of the author, emphasizing his importance in the realm of poetry and storytelling. It highlights how La Fontaine was inspired by earlier fable writers like Aesop and Phædrus while making a name for himself through his unique style. The introduction sets the stage for the fables to follow, inviting readers to explore a rich collection infused with light-heartedness and depth, while providing a glimpse into La Fontaine's own life and his evolution as a writer. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Subject Fables, French -- Translations into English
Category Text
EBook-No. 50316
Release Date Oct 26, 2015
Most Recently Updated Apr 2, 2024
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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